Reality may have arrived in Providence

At least one person in Providence, home of the Big East offices, believes the entry of TCU into the conference may be the first step in what will be a split between the football and basketball schools.

Kevin McNamara, a columnist for the newspaper that lands on the desks of Big East officials every day, says conference expansion will continue and that a split is inevitable:

“Asked to opine on the chances of a 17-school Big East surviving long-term, few coaches and athletic directors hold high hopes. Sure, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Louisville strongly value their basketball relationships with Georgetown and St. John’s, and the conference tourney at Madison Square Garden, but when push comes to shove, a football game in Tampa or Fort Worth now carries more weight.

“What can save the Big East’s bloated roster?

“ESPN can.

“That network badly wants the current Big East to remain alive. But Villanova’s upcoming football decision will be a game-changer. If the Wildcats choose to pour millions into their football program, a path to a split becomes clear. If not, a push will be on to add another outside member (Memphis, Central Florida?) and grow to 10 football members and 18 members in total.

“If that happens, maybe it’s time for the basketball schools to take their ball and walk away.”

If ESPN wants to keep the entities together so badly, maybe the Lee Corso minions should refrain from badmouthing Big East football every chance they get.